Page 134 - Stories from our Grandparents
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During my time, although World War 2 has ended, everyone was
                                                                                                  quarrelling and fighting. Singapore had to face problems such as riots.
                                                                                                  I wanted to live in a world where there was peace and no war.
       Mdm Asmah Mispan                Born 1949                                                  I had hoped that one day Singapore would have peace and no social
                                                                                                  problems. Years passed and it felt like it was just yesterday that my
        By Adriana Binte Irmady                                                                   mother told me to get a job. There were not many jobs I could take
        Ping Yi Secondary School
                                                                                                  up, so I decided to be a parking attendant.
                                                                                                              Working as a parking attendant might seem like an easy job but
                                                                                                              it was quite tough. It required stamina and I had to socialise
                      My name is Asmah
                      Mispan. I’m 69 this                                                                     with people. I once faced a problem and it was very unpleasant.
                      year. I miss the old                                                                    I was putting the slip indicating that the owner of the car did
          Mdays or as I call it,                                                                              not park the car properly so I had to fine him. When I was
           The Kampung Days. At that time       As I grew up, I experienced                                         putting the slip on the car, the owner saw me and
                  children were spotted          changes. In the past, people                                              started to argue with me. Luckily,
                     playing some traditional    would come together and                        “I am                               I was near a coffee
                        games such as Flag       celebrate their differences but as             honoured to be
                        Eraser, Five Stones      the years passed, people started
                         and many more.          having disagreements that led to               a Singaporean and I
                         My father used          arguments and those arguments                  am glad that Singapore
                         to tell me stories      then led to riots. My parents                  is now an independent nation.
                         about Singapore         imposed curfews and I did not                  There is no place I’d rather be.
                          and its history. He    have freedom. They were very
                    told me the legends of       strict and I was restricted from               This is my home. This is
                    Singapore and how it got     leaving the house. I was frustrated            where I belong.”
            its name. The legend of Badang       and I thought that it was unfair                                                       shop and a man
            was my favourite! My father also     that I had to stay in the house                                                   helped to defend me.
            told me that Singapore was under     while my parents were able to go                                          I thanked the man and he offered
            the Japanese Occupation and          out. However, I was lucky that my                                   me a cup of coffee. I still couldn’t forget
            how aeroplanes were dropping         parents were protective as I heard                              about that incident up until now.
            bombs all across Singapore.          stories of people dying as a result
                                                 of the riots.
                                                                                                           Nowadays, I see people helping
                                                                                                           one another and showing care.
                                                                                                           There are no more riots and
                                                                                                           Singapore is peaceful.





           76    Grandma Stories                                                                                                                       Grandma Stories  77
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